SCRAPS Breed Profile IRISH

Stats

Country of Origin: Ireland and the British Isles Group: Gun and Sporting Use today: The 's talents include , , retrieving, pointing, watchdog, agility and competitive obedience. Life Span: 11 - 15 years Color: Colors come in brindle, fawn, black, blue, mantle harlequin and sometimes merle. Coat: Coat colors include mahogany to a rich chestnut red. There is no black, but may be a small amount of white on the chest, throat, toes and sometimes a thin centered streak on the top of the head. Grooming: Daily brushing and combing of the soft, flat, medium-length coat is all that is required to keep it in excellent condition. Keep it free from burrs and tangles, brushing extra when the coat is shedding. Bathe and dry shampoo only when necessary. This breed is an average shedder. Height: Males 26 - 28 inches; Females 24 - 26 inches Weight: Males 65 - 75 pounds; Females 55 - 65 pounds

Profile

In Brief: Irish are energetic, intelligent, of the body. There is an even longer feathering affectionate, loving, high-spirited and full of on the ears, back of the legs, belly and brisket, energy. They have no guarding instincts, get extending to the chest. Coat colors include along with other and are good with children. mahogany to a rich chestnut red. There is no A rollicking breed, the Irish Setter is high-energy black, but may be a small amount of white on and requires regular exercise. His outgoing and the chest, throat, toes and sometimes a thin stable personality make him a favorite with centered streak on the top of the head. Young families. Their long, glossy red coat, although can sometimes have a silvery-gray color beautiful, must be groomed regularly to prevent behind the ears and legs that usually disappears snarls or mats. as the dog grows.

Description: The Irish Setter is an active bird Temperament: Irish Setters are energetic, dog. The long, lean head is at least double the intelligent, affectionate, loving, high-spirited and width between the ears than it is in length. When full of energy. They have no guarding instincts, viewed from the front the skull is oval and when get along with other pets and are good with viewed from the top it is slightly domed. The children. This breed can be reckless and high- body is slightly longer than tall. The muzzle is strung if it does not receive the proper amount of moderately deep with a distinct stop. The teeth mental and physical exercise and may become meet in a scissors bite. The nose is either black destructive and hard to manage. Impulsive, with or brown with wide open nostrils. The medium- an independent spirit, they are sensitive to the sized eyes are almond shaped, set somewhat tone of one's voice and will not listen if they wide apart and are dark to medium brown in sense that they are stronger minded than their color. The triangular, low-set ears are thin and owner, however they will also not respond well hang close to the head. The front legs are to harsh discipline. Owners need to be calm, yet straight and the feet are rather small with arched possess an air of natural authority, being firm, toes. The long tail almost reaches the hock, is confident and consistent, giving the dogs clear thicker at the base, tapering to a point. The coat rules they must follow and sticking to them. is short and fine on the head and the front side Meek or passive owners or owners who do not of the legs and medium in length on other parts provide enough exercise will find them to be difficult to train. Given firm handling and plenty Origins: The Irish Setter was developed from of exercise, these dogs can be a joy to own. mixing the Irish , Irish Water , Start firm training early in life as it is easier to , and the . It prevent behavior issues than it is to fix them was originally called the Irish Red Setter in the once they start happening. Do not let this dog United States. At one time the Irish Setter was a jump on humans, even as a small . Teach red and white dog with shorter legs than today's them to heel on a lead and to let humans pass in breed. The shorter legs were most likely bred in and out gate and doorways before them. to help the dogs "set" the . They would Relatively easily to housebreak. There are two crouch down low near the bird so that the hunter types, field lines and show lines (bench). Field could walk over and toss a net over the prey and types are bred for hunting and work the dog. In the 19th century selective breeding and are generally somewhat smaller with shorter produced a dog with a pure chestnut red coat coats. The bench type is bred for and the white was bred out of the breed. It is shows. Both types are energetic and need daily probably older than the English Setter. The exercise, but field lines have a higher energy English and Irish Setters are both ancestors of level and need even more exercise. The the Spanish Pointer. The Irish Setter is an all- dominancy level in this breed varies even within purpose , both a pointer and the same litter. If you are not the type of person in all types of terrains. It is especially who can display a natural air of calm, but firm good for hunting game birds. It has an excellent authority, then be sure to choose a pup that is nose and is very fast. When the Irish Setter finds more submissive. The temperament of both his game he runs quickly back and forth in front show and field lines vary widely, depending of the hunter in order to alert him. Over the upon how the owners treat the dog and how years many breeders have started breeding much and what type of exercise they more for looks rather than the dog’s hunting provide. The Irish Setter is used for all types of ability. The Irish Setter's talents include hunting, hunting. It is extremely swift, with an excellent tracking, retrieving, pointing, watchdog, agility sense of smell and is hardy over any terrain and and competitive obedience. in any climate, working well even in wetlands.

Health: This breed tends to bloat. It may be wise to feed 2 or 3 small meals a day instead of one big one. Prone to epilepsy, severe skin allergies, elbow and , hypothyroidism and eye problems such as PRA, autoimmune disease. Watch for ear infections and inflammation.

Living Conditions: The Irish Setter is not recommended for apartment life unless the owners are active daily joggers or bikers and plan on taking the dog along with them. This breed does best with a large yard.

Exercise: All setters need a daily long, brisk walk or jog or they will become restless and difficult to manage. Do not allow the dog to walk in front of the person holding the lead. The dog must be made to heel beside or behind the human, as in the dog's mind, the leader goes first and that leader must be the human. In addition, they will also enjoy running free in the safety of a fenced yard.

Spokane County Regional Protection Service 6815 E. Trent • Spokane Valley • Washington • 99212 (509) 477-2532 voice (509) 477-4745 fax www.spokanecounty.org/animal